TRIGGER FINGER
The tendons responsible for bending
your fingers run through a tunnel or sheath.
Trigger finger is caused by a thickening
or swelling of the the tendon (fig. 1). Movement
of the swollen tendon through the sheath
can cause irritation, pain and “catching” (fig. 2).
As you try to straighten the finger, the
tendon becomes temporarily stuck
(“catching”) at entrance of the tunnel
and then pops as the tendon makes it
past the tight area.
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
Steroid Injection - steroid is injected
around the tendon (fig. 3). This will reduce the
swelling on the tendon allowing it to slide
freely in and out of the sheath. For about
50% of the cases a single injection will take
care of the problem. However, 25% of the
time patients may need another injection.
The steroid injection may not relieve the
symptoms immediately.
Surgery - If the course of steroid injections
do not work, then a small outpatient
procedure to release the sheath is
performed (fig. 4). This will prevent the
tendon from catching at this point.
The tendons responsible for bending
your fingers run through a tunnel or sheath.
Trigger finger is caused by a thickening
or swelling of the the tendon (fig. 1). Movement
of the swollen tendon through the sheath
can cause irritation, pain and “catching” (fig. 2).
As you try to straighten the finger, the
tendon becomes temporarily stuck
(“catching”) at entrance of the tunnel
and then pops as the tendon makes it
past the tight area.
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
Steroid Injection -
swelling on the tendon allowing it to slide
freely in and out of the sheath. For about
50% of the cases a single injection will take
care of the problem. However, 25% of the
time patients may need another injection.
The steroid injection may not relieve the
symptoms immediately.
Surgery -
procedure to release the sheath is
performed (fig. 4). This will prevent the
tendon from catching at this point.
TRIGGER FINGER